SWEET FENNEL Essential Oil

Foeniculum vulgare dulce France, Wild, Seed, Steam Distilled

Sweet licorice aroma. Often recommended for massage where there is cellulite and for the digestive system, especially for indigestion or gas.

Fennel essential oil is often recommended for PMS and for menstrual difficulties. I add just a drop to my pms blend. Its distinctive scent is softened by blending with Rose Geranium and Clary Sage. I suspect its mildly diuretic action can help with the fluid retention that often adds to the discomfort of PMS.  

Some sources recommend Fennel for detoxifying the body, that it is helpful for detoxifying from over indulgence in alcohol, nicotine, and other toxic substances. I think a blend of Fennel, Juniper and Seaweed essential oils, blended into sea salts, would make a wonderful detoxifying bath. It is an ingredient in our Detox Synergy and Detox Bath salts.

Fennel is often recommended for breast firming massage and to promote milk production with new mothers, however, I think that the distinctive aroma could interfere with the bonding that needs to occur between the mother and newborn, and would prefer to see nursing mothers drink Fennel Seed Tea.  

Emotionally, fennel can ease stress and nervous tension without having the mildly sedative effect that many of the relaxing essential oils bring. A blend of sweet fennel and Rosemary can both relieve stress and energize; the only other essential oil that I know of with that effect is Pink Grapefruit.

Blends well with: Basil, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Rose, Rosemary, and Sandalwood, but personally my experience is that fennel will take over a blend unless used very sparingly indeed.

WARNING: Fennel can be a skin irritant. Do not use it on young children. Do not use if pregnant. Do not use if suffering from epilepsy.

**For other possible oils to avoid, please see our essential oil contraindications page.